Dishwashing machine



March 15, 1955 JAMES ETAL 2,704,084

DISHWASHING MACHINE Filed Oct. 19, 1953 2 She'etS-Sheet 1 iii 1..

. INVENTORS.

Leuqs A. James and By Duane A James.

ATTORNEJQL March 15, 1955 L JAMES ETAL 2,704,084

DISHWASHING MACHINE Filed Oct. 19, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 any. 4

INVENTOR. Lew/s A. James and y Duane A. James.

A TTORNE Y5.

United States Patent DISHWASHIN G MACHINE Lewis A. James and Duane A. James, Independence, Kans., assignors to James, Incorporated, Independence, Kans., a corporation of Kansas Application October 19, 1953, Serial No. 386,794

7 Claims. (Cl. 134-183) This invention relates to dishwashing machines and particularly to a machine for washing and rinsing dishes, silverware and the like by a thin sheet or jet of liquid directed with considerable velocity against a rotating or oscillating deflector baffle for distribution in a sweeping movement over the articles to be washed.

This application is a continuation-in-part of our application Serial No. 94,058 filed May 19, 1949 now Patent No. 2,660,185, granted November 24, 1953.

The objects of the present invention are to provide a closed compartment with a rack for supporting articles to be washed with a pump or other source of fluid pressure for moving or delivering wash or rinse liquid in directed jets of said liquid against a moving baflle or deflector which deflects same to impinge on the articles to be washed; to provide a dishwashing machine with a jet directing unit and a rotating baflle for concentrating the delivery of washing or rinsing liquid in a sheet of considerable velocity which sweeps the interior of the washing compartment; to provide a dishwashing machine with a thin, flat baflle having an axis of rotation positioned in alignment with a sheet of liquid directed thereagainst for deflecting said sheet of liquid in a thin moving jet which sweeps the interior of the washing compartment; to provide such a baflle with a spiral extending the length thereof whereby portions of the sheet of liquid jetted thereagainst strike the sides of the baflle while other portions are striking the edge to reduce noise and vibration yet give a continuous sweeping action of the liquid in the washing compartment; and to provide a dishwashing machine which is economical to manufacture and efficient in operation.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the present invention, we have provided improved details of structure the preferred forms of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a transverse sectional view through a dishwashing machine embodying the present invention wherein a nozzle having an elongated orifice directs a sheet of liquid against a deflector baflle.

Fig. 2 is a partial perspective view of the nozzle and and deflector baffie.

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view through a drive for rotating the baffle.

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view through a modified form of apparatus for delivering liquid against the rotating baflle.

Fig. 5 is a partial perspective view of the dishwashing machine shown in Fig. 4, particularly illustrating the baflle in spiral form.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

1 designates a dishwashing machine consisting of a receptacle 2 having side walls 3, end walls 4 and a bottom 5 suitably connected to form a watertight tank, the top of which (not shown) is preferably arranged with a cover which can be opened to provide access to the receptacle. A deflector baflie 6 is spaced above the bottom 5 and extends longitudinally of the receptacle.

In the structure illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 the deflector baflle 6 is an elongated, thin, flat metal strip of such length as to extend substantially the full length of the receptacle with the ends 7 having operating clearance with the inner surfaces of the end walls 4.

The deflector baffle is provided with trunnions 8 rotatably mounted in suitable bearings 9 suitably mounted or otherwise supported on or adjacent the end walls 4. It is preferable that the deflector baffle rotate at a relatively 2,704,084 Patented Mar. 15, 1955 slow speed, the rotation either being continuously or intermittently. While various driving mechanisms may be used, in the form illustrated in Fig. 3 one of the trunnions 8 extends through the adjacent end wall 4 and into a housing 10 suitably secured to said end wall to provide an enclosure for the speed reducing bafile driving mechamsm.

A shaft 11 is rotatably mounted in the housing 10 in spaced relation to the trunnion 8, said shaft 11 extending from the housing and having a sheave wheel 12 fixed thereon which is drivingly engaged by a belt 13 connected to a suitable prime mover for rotating the shaft 11. An eccentric 14 is fixed to the shaft 11 inside the housing 10 and rotatably mounted on the eccentric is a strap 15 having a detent 16 extending therefrom. The strap is shown as consisting of two arcuate members 17 and 18 engaging around the eccentric and held thereon by a spring 19 extending around the peripheries of said arcuate members. The spring eflects resilient engagement of the arcuate member with the eccentric whereby rotation of said eccentric holds the end of the detent in engagement with teeth 20 of a ratchet wheel 21 fixed on the trunnion 8. Rotation of the eccentric 14 moves the detent to turn the ratchet wheel by increments, said ratchet wheel being held against backward movement by means of a spring pawl 22 secured to the housing 10 and having its end engaging in the teeth 20 of. said ratchet wheel.

While the particular drive shown in Fig. 3 will drive the baflie to rotate same by increments it is merely exemplary as other suitable drives may be used, for example gears or other suitable power transmission means may be utilized to provide a speed reduction whereby the battle is continuously rotated at a relatively slow speed.

The bottom of the receptacle is preferably sloped or curved to form a sump for containing a suitable quantity of washing or rinsing liquid. An outlet fitting 23 communicates with the interior of the receptacle at the sump portion of the bottom, said outlet fitting having a valve 24 for controlling the drainage of liquid from the receptacle. A suitable pipe or other conduit 25 is connected to a source of liquid supply, for example a hot water tank in the water system of a house. A valve 26 is arranged in the pipe 25 for controlling the supply of liquid from the source of supply.

In the structure illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 the pipe 25 is connected to one branch of a T 27, another branch of which is connected by a pipe 28 to a manifold and/or nozzle structure 29 arranged in the receptacle below the level of the deflector bafile 6. The manifold fitting 29 extends the full length of the receptacle and has a slot 30 substantially coextensive therewith for directing a thin sheet of liquid toward the axis of rotation of the baflle 6. A pump 31 is mounted on the bottom of the receptacle and suitably driven as by a belt 32, the inlet of the pump being connected by a suitable pipe fitting 33 communicating as at 34 with the sump portion of the receptacle. The discharge of the pump is connected by suitable pipe fittings 35 with another branch of the T fitting 27, whereby operation of the pump draws liquid from the sump of the receptacle and discharges same through the pipe fittings to the manifold fitting 29 with sufiicient pressure to jet the liquid in a thin sheet against the deflector baflile.

A suitable rack 36 is provided in the receptacle for supporting dishes or other articles to be washed. In the illustrated structure the rack is formed of a plurality of spaced wires or rods to provide an open framework structure that extends over the deflector baffle 6 and is spaced therefrom to provide clearance for the rotation of the deflector baffle, the rack being of such structure that the dishes and other articles to be washed are arranged above and at the side of the deflector baflle.

In operating a dishwashing machine constructed as described, articles to be washed are placed within the receptacle in suitable positions on the rack. The receptacle is then closed and the valve 26 opened to permit the flow of liquid from a source of supply into the receptacle, the liquid being discharged through the slot 30. During admission of the liquid to the receptacle the deflector battle 6 is rotated whereby the liquid discharged from the slot 30 of the manifold fitting strikes the flat side surfaces of the deflector baflie 6 and is deflected thereby a flat, thin sheet or jet having considerable velocity to 1mpinge on the articles to be washed. As the baflle 1s rotated it presents a gradual changing angularrty of the slde faces relative to the manifold and/or nozzle fittlng 29 and the slot 30 thereof, this gradual changing surface deflecting the jet of liquid issuing from the slot 30 in a sheet which sweeps the entire washing compartment of the receptacle. The flow of liquid is continued until there is a quantity preferably equal to about one to two inches of depth in the bottom or sump of the receptacle. Then the valve 26 is closed and the pump driven to remove liquld from the receptacle and pump same under pressure into the manifold fitting 29 for discharge through the slot 30, the discharged liquid continuing to be deflected from the deflector baffle 6 to effect application of the washing liquid to the articles to be washed in a thin sheet at considerable velocity which sweeps the interior of the washing compartment, impinging on the dishes to wash same.

After operation for a suitable period of time the valve 24 is opened to permit the washing liquid to drain from the receptacle. After the washing liquid has drained from the receptacle the valve 24 is closed and the valve 26 opened to supply rinse water to the receptacle. The operation for rinsing of the articles in the receptacle is substantially the same as that for washing of the dishes, the liquid being discharged in a flat, sheet-like jet from the slot 30 toward the axis of rotation of the deflector baffle 6 which deflects the liquid in a flat sheet which sweeps the interior of the receptacle. The rinsing operation is preferably performed with clear, hot rinse water whereby after the articles are thoroughly rinsed the rinse water may be drained from the receptacle. The hot rinse water naturally will heat the dishes and the heat remaining in same after the rinse water has been drained from the receptacle will cause the dishes to dry and said dishes may then be left in the receptacle if so desired up to the time for use.

While we have provided a pump for moving liquid from the receptacle sump and discharging same back into the receptacle through the slot 30, any suitable means of applving the liquid under pressure may be used, for example liquid from a suitable source of supply under pressure may be delivered to the manifold 29 and discharged through the slot 30 and said liquid continuously drained from the receptacle and wasted through a sewer connection or other suitable disposal.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5, a manifold and/ or nozzle 37 is arranged along the longitudinal center of the receptacle 38 in spaced relation to the bottom 39 thereof. and racks 40 are arranged in the rece tacle for supporting articles to be washed above the manifold and on each side thereof. The manifold 37 extends substantially the entire length of the receptacle and said manifold has an upwardly directed slot 41 substantially coextensive therewith. A deflector baflie 42 is rotatablv mounted in the rece tacle immediately above the slot 41 of the manifold 37 whereby the axis of rotation of the baifle 42 is in the lane of the flat sheet of liquid dischar ed from the slot 41, and s id axis is prepend cular to the direction of the stream. The axis of rotation of the bafile is midway the width of the baflfle forming oppositelv directed vanes.

Tn the structure illustrated in Figs. 4 and the baffle is twisted r otherwise formed in a s iral whereb liquid issuing from the slot 41 and im in ing on the bafiie alon its lon itudinal axis is deflected into the receptac e and is r-ansed to s ee he interior of same as the deflector hafiie is rotated. The spiral ontour of t e baffle causes the wall or sheet of water deflected th refrom to be in a curved sheet rather than a flat sheet, however. the princinal advanta e of the spiral deflector b fle is quietness of o eration, because at all times some of the liquid issuing from the slot 1 will be directed against a side face of the deflector baflfle while other liquid will be impingin against ortions of the side edges of the baffle. The liq id is supplied to the receptacle in the form of the in ention illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 and the structure thereof 00 ated in substantially the same manner as has been described relative to the structure shown in Fig. 1.

It is believed obvious that we have provided an improved dishwashing machine of simple, economical construction that is easy and efiicient to operate with a controlled stream of liquid sweeping over the articles to be washed.

What we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A liquid distributor for use in a dishwashing machine having a housing containing articles to be washed comprising, means discharging liquid in the housing in a flat relatively wide sheet-like stream, an elongated baffle in the line of discharge of the flat sheet-like stream and mounted to rotate on an axis extending longitudinally of the baflle, said baffle being substantially as long as the flat sheet-like stream is wide, said axis of rotation of the baflle being substantially in the plane of the flat sheet-like stream of liquid and perpendicular to the direction of the stream, said axis of rotation being midway the width of the baflle forming oppositely directed vanes whereby all of said flat sheet-like stream of liquid strikes said baflle substantially along said axis of rotation, and means rotating the bafile about its axis to deflect the flat sheet-like stream of liquid and cause same to sweep the housing.

2. A liquid distributor for use in a dishwashing machine having a housing containing articles to be washed comprising, an elongate hollow manifold member in the housing connected with a source of liquid under pressure and having an elongated slot extending longitudinally thereof for discharging liquid in the housing in a flat relatively wide sheet-like stream, an elongated baflle in the line of discharge of the flat sheet-like stream and mounted to rotate on an axis extending longitudinally of the baflie, said baflle being substantially as long as the flat sheet-like stream is wide, said axis of rotation of the baffle being substantially in the plane of the flat sheet-like stream of liquid whereby all of said flat sheet-like stream of liquid strikes said baflie substantially along said axis of rotation, and means rotating the baflie about its axis to deflect the flat sheet-like stream of liquid and cause same to sweep the housing.

3. A liquid distributer for use in a dishwashing machine having a housing containing articles to be washed comprising, an elongate manifold, means connecting the manifold with a source of liquid under pressure for delivering liquid to said manifold, said manifold having an elongate slot extending longitudinally thereof for discharging liquid in the housing in a flat relatively wide sheet-like stream, an elongated baflle in the line of discharge of the flat sheet-like stream and mounted to rotate on an axis extending longitudinally of the battle, said baflie being substantially as long as the flat sheetlike stream is wide and spiraled longitudinally of said baflle, asid axis of rotation of the baffle being substantially in the plane of the flat sheet-like stream of liquid and perpendicular to the direction of the stream, said axis of rotation being midway the width of the baffle forming oppositely directed vanes whereby all of said flat sheet-like stream of liquid strikes said baflle substantially along said axis of rotation, and means rotating the bafl le about its axis to deflect the flat sheet-like stream of liquid and cause same to sweep the housing.

4. A liquid distributer for use in a dishwashing machine having a housing containing articles to be washed and a sump for collecting liquid comprising, means moving liquid from the sump and discharging same generally upwardly into the housing in a flat relatively wide sheet-like stream, an elongate bafie strip of substantially uniform width in the line of discharge of the flat sheet-like stream and mounted to rotate on an axis extending longitudinally of the baflfle, said baffle being substantially as long as the flat sheet-like stream is wide, said axis of rotation of the baflle being substantially in the plane of the flat sheet-like stream of liquid and perpendicular to the direction of the stream, said axis of rotation being midway the side edges of the baflle forming oppositely directed vanes whereby all of said flat sheet-like stream of liquid strikes said baffle substantially along said axis of rotation, and means rotating the baflie about its axis to deflect the flat sheet-like stream of liquid in a moving sheet which sweeps from one side of the baflle upwardly over the baffle and then downwardly on the other side of the baflle through substantially of travel of the stream.

5. A liquid distributer for use in a dishwashing machine having a housing containing articles to be washed and a sump for collecting liquid comprising, means moving liquid from the sump and discharging same generally upwardly in a flat relatively wide sheet-like stream, an elongate baflie strip of substantially uniform width in the line of discharge of the flat sheet-like stream and mounted to rotate on an axis extending longitudinally of the baflle and spaced from the liquid discharging means, said baffle being substantially as long as the flat sheet-like stream is wide, said axis of rotation of the baflle being substantially in the plane of the flat sheetlike stream of liquid and perpendicular to the direction of the stream, said axis of rotation being midway the side edges of the baflle forming diametrically oppositely directed aligned vanes whereby all of said flat sheetlike stream of liquid strikes said baflle substantially along said axis of rotation, and means rotating the battle about its axis whereby the flat sheet-like stream of liquid strikes one face of the baffle and then the other face and while the baffle is being rotated and the flat sheet-like stream of liquid is striking said one face said stream will be deflected to the respective side of the baflie in a moving sheet which sweeps upwardly until the plane of the bafile coincides with the plane of the flat sheet-like stream of liquid and then the flat sheet-like stream of liquid strikes said other face and said stream is deflected to that side of the bafile in a moving sheet which sweeps downwardly to complete substantially 180 of travel of the deflected stream.

6. A liquid distributer for use in a dishwashing machine having a housing containing articles to be washed and a sump for collecting liquid comprising, an elongate manifold in the housing, means moving liquid from the sump and having connection with the manifold for delivering said liquid thereto under pressure, said manifold having an elongate slot extending longitudinally thereof for discharging the liquid therefrom generally upwardly in the housing in a flat relatively wide sheetlike stream, an elongate baflle strip of substantially uniform width in the line of discharge of the flat sheet-like stream and mounted to rotate on an axis extending longitudinally of the baflle, said baflle being substantially as long as the flat sheet-like stream is wide, said axis of rotation of the baflle being substantially in the plane of the flat sheet-like stream of liquid whereby all of said flat sheet-like stream of liquid strikes said bafile substantially along said axis of rotation, and means rotating 6 the baflle about its axis to deflect the flat sheet-like stream of liquid in a moving sheet which sweeps from one side of the baflle upwardly over the batfle and then downwardly on the other side' of the bafile through substantially of travel of the deflected stream.

7. A liquid distributer for use in a dishwashing machine having a housing containing articles to be washed and a sump for collecting liquid comprising, an elongate manifold in the housing, means moving liquid from the sump and having connection with the manifold for delivering said liquid thereto under pressure, said manimold having an elongate slot extending longitudinally thereof for discharging the liquid therefrom generally upwardly in the housing in a flat relatively wide sheetlike stream, an elongate baflle strip of substantially uniform width in the line of discharge of the flat sheetlike stream and mounted to rotate-on an axis extending longitudinally of the baflle, said bafile being as long as the flat sheet-like stream is wide and spiraled longitudinally of said baflle, said axis of rotation of the baffle being substantially in the plane of the flat sheet-like stream of liquid and perpendicular to the direction of the stream, said axis of rotation being midway the side edges of the baflle forming oppositely directed vanes whereby all of said flat sheet-like stream of liquid strikes said baflie substantinally along said axis of rotation, and means continuously rotating the bafile about its axis to deflect the flat sheet-like stream of liquid in a moving sheet which sweeps from one side of the baffle upwardly over the baflle and then downwardly on the other side of the baffle through substantially 180 of travel of the deflected stream.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,995,927 Kirby Mar. 26, 1935 2,316,748 Bilde Apr. 13, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS 446,490 Great Britain Apr. 23, 1936 

